Maximo Quiles clinched the 2026 Moto3 world championship with five rounds remaining, capping off his successful campaign with a commanding win at the Indonesian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Arriving in Mandalika with a substantial 127-point margin over nearest rival David Almansa, the CF Moto Aspar pilot had already set himself apart, though Alvaro Carpe and Brian Uriarte stayed mathematically in the hunt.
All that was required of Quiles was to preserve a 125-point advantage through the weekend to secure the championship, emulating Jose Antonio Rueda, who claimed the title at the very same venue the previous year.
Qualifying saw his main title contenders lock out the front row, with Uriarte taking pole ahead of Almansa and Carpe. Conversely, the 18-year-old managed only sixth on the grid, trailing Leopard Racing pair Adrian Fernandez and Guido Pini.
The race got underway and Quiles immediately advanced, climbing to third off the line before overtaking Uriarte for second place on the opening lap.
Turning his attention to primary rival Almansa, Quiles took advantage of Turn 1 to displace his competitor and claim the lead of the race.
Once in front, Marquez’s protégé proved untouchable, establishing a two-second gap within the opening six laps before gradually extending his advantage over the rest of the field.
Finishing 2.9 seconds clear, Quiles secured his 10th Grand Prix victory of the season and pushed his championship lead to an insurmountable 132 points. This achievement marks the first time in Moto3 history a rider has secured the title with five rounds still remaining.
Intact rider Almansa took a comfortable second place at Mandalika, with Matteo Bertelle third, while Uriarte narrowly missed the podium in fourth.
Uriarte’s KTM Ajo teammate Carpe had been vying for third before retiring with 10 laps to go, joining the four riders who failed to finish the Indonesian event.
Quiles’s triumph comes 16 years after his mentor, Marc Marquez, secured the 125cc crown in 2010. The Spanish rider is set to graduate to Moto2 in 2027 while staying with the Aspar squad.
